Define mycetoma and give examples of two causative agents.
Q201 marks
Answer
Mycetoma: a chronic, progressive, granulomatous subcutaneous infection, typically affecting the foot (“Madura foot”) or hand, characterized by the classical triad of tumefaction (swelling), multiple sinus tracts, and discharge containing grains (granules) composed of the causative organism, usually resulting from traumatic inoculation (e.g., a thorn prick).
Two causative agents: mycetoma can be caused by either true fungi (eumycetoma) — e.g., Madurella mycetomatis — or filamentous bacteria/actinomycetes (actinomycetoma) — e.g., Nocardia species (or Actinomadura, Streptomyces species).
